Another Melonseed Update

[BrianR]

I've made some more progress on the melonseed. The deck is done, and although its hard to see, its actually and off white, the color Kirby's calls "Sand" - I love it. Flipped her over today to work on the hull.

I'm going to finish up the rudder and floor boards. Bought some great leather to wrap around the mast hole and daggerboard slot, which I'll tack down on the deck with small bronze ring nails.

Douglas Fir floor boards, mahogany rub rails, and mahogany ply trim on top.

The line from the sail is going to go through a small block fastened to the back of the tiller by the rudder. I need a small bronze block (to accomodate a 3/8 inch line) which swivels for this purpose, but I can't seem to find one. I looked at Jamestown, Bristol Bronze, etc. - any thoughts?

Looks like a May launch. Couldn't have done it without the help I received from all of you. Thanks.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p1dbbf517bc62d8ff6d4870e47b3d7fae/f4837649.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p9ea043f645d1b6d62b460a5b7104e3e2/f4837664.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p9e65e5eca5e9d6b828ba7b0b9087ec9b/f4837653.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p566cd49951f461a50f94fb974f3918ce/f4837676.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid164/p6782c74aed55be8a13e8809ad66162c1/f483768e.jpg

[NormMessinger]

Nice!

[JimM]

Brian
Very sexy boat. Great Job!

Jim McGee

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

I like the nice flat run aft.

Is she for the lake or ocean?

-Cullen

[Steve Lansdowne]

Looks great, as others have noted. I'll cut and paste those images into my Melonseed file. Isn't the block on the tiller arrangement you described going to result in the sheet pulling the tiller up or at least interfere with steering? Most folks just use a rope or metal traveller with a block attached.

[paladin]

PURTY.....

[BrianR]

Thanks guys. As for the tension on the tiller, I'm just following the advice of a number of "Melonheads" I've spoken to, who all agree that this particular rigging is the best for this particular boat. I'll have to consider hardware to assure the rudder is not seeing lift out of the gudgeons.

[htom]

Sublime. I like the sheer accent stripe.

[ion barnes]

Very nice Brian, excellent! I am waiting for my John Brady plan set to arrive.

[PeterSibley]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm !! very nice ! smile.gif

As for blocks try Conrad Blocks ,very well made,wood shell,bronze sheaves with 316 ss roller bearings.And they are cheap !
http://www.hypermax.net.au/~agetilbr/

[ion barnes]

Bristol Brass. They make replacment fittings to Herreshoff specs IIRC.

[Andrew S/Y Rocquette]

Re your comment "Bought some great leather to wrap around the mast hole and daggerboard slot, which I'll tack down on the deck with small bronze ring nails" - if you mean annular/gripfast nails Gripfast nails (http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/images_products/164.jpg) like these, you will never get them out when you need to replace the leather....

[George Jung]

BrianR, very nice boat! I wonder if you can provice some more details; I've been unable to bring up any earlier threads on your Melonseed; but after seeing your boat I'm quite interested, and note there seem to be several variations available. Which model have you built? Any comments on the plans, where to get them etc.? How about some more photos? :D

[George Jung]

Whoops... found 'em. 13 footer, right? Beautiful.

[BrianR]

Yeah George. That's the 13 footer. Plans by Marc Barto - from our host. Let me know if you or anyone else needs more info! Thanks for the compliments.

[Andrew]

Very pretty. Will she be sprit of gaff rigged?

[Philip Maynard]

Look's really nice, let me know when you launch, if you want some company.

[John-NY]

I would be interested to know when you began to build her and how many hours you think you have into her. :eek:
I am just completing a lapstrake plywood sailing boat and I am considering options for my next project. Thanks

John

Beautiful Job by the way you should be very pleased with yourself! :D

[BrianR]

Its going to be a laker, not an ocean goer, although I have a friend with a place on the bay side of Long Beach Island, NJ, where I'm sure I'll go at least once.

It'll be Sprit rigged.

Phil - I'd love to have you, but I'm afraid I'd be embarassed. Thus far, I'm only just competent with a small Sunfish. You'll recall our short correspondence when you were building up that beauty you made.

As for the hours, I really couldn't tell you. When I first looked into this project, a wise person told me that if I was going to be counting the hours, I had missed the point. With that in mind, I truly tried to ENJOY the hours, instead of counting them. I started in the fall of '03, and never put a regular schedule on it. You know, an hour here, two or three there, as life, the wife, and kids would allow. In any event, I'm happy.

Thanks all.

[David Mendes]

Dear Brian,
You can see a picture of the end-of-tiller block arrangement of my Crawford Melonseed in the photos section of the yahoo melonseed club site. It's the last picture in the folder with the label "Ruach in Nahariya".

The picture also shows the flattened turk's head "thump mat" I made up as per Hervey Garrett Smith's illustrations as well as the J.M. Reineck bronze block which I use. The block is not a swivel type. Mr. Reineck believes that swivel blocks are over-used and not necessary for many purposes for which they are currently employed. The block works perfectly on my melonseed. It's actually jewel-like in appearance and quality. It's an exact copy of a Herreshoff block but with Delrin roller bearings. For 3/8" line, you would need a 7/16" block. They are not inexpensive and absolutely no one but yourself will notice that you have decided to employ one.

However, I justified its purchase to replace the original (and much rougher) bronze swivel blocks with the simple conclusion that rationality is not exactly the controlling element with regard to equipping a daysailer. The block is beautiful and functional. I don't polish it up, but I did label the picture at the melonseed club site as "Gilding the Lily". Mr. Reinecks's site is www.bronzeblocks.com (http://www.bronzeblocks.com) and he advertises in Woodenboat.

Hope this helps, and regards from over here in Israel

David Mendes

[Philip Maynard]

Well a 2nd set of eyes and hands can come in handy when you are doing something new, the only people who have not made any mistakes are those that have never done anything. Did I tell you about the time I snapped the mast pulling my cerlew out because I didn't notice the overhead wires? Now that was embarasing - at least it happened on my last day of vacation and not my first day. If you change your mind call me.

610 348-5654
Phil